EMPOWERING WOMEN

One Class at a Time

Testimonials

Jay was incredibly kind, knowledgeable and easy to work with when he assisted my students in organizing a self-defense workshop for their fellow high school students. Jay met with the student-organizers ahead of the workshop so they could run through the moves themselves before assisting their peers in learning on the day of our workshop. The students and I found Jay and his assistant to be patient, funny and empowering to the (mostly) young women who were taking his course. After the workshop, participants felt stronger, more powerful and more confident that they can keep themselves safe and, in the event of an attack, they would be able to defend themselves. As a teacher, I’m so grateful to Jay for coming to Boise High School, for working with our young people and for offering his services to us. Thanks, Jay!

~ Anna Daley ~ AVID Program Coordinator Boise High School

I feel so much more confident both for myself and my daughter after learning the moves Jay taught us in self-defense class. He gives fantastic instruction and is dedicated to helping women feel safe with simple tools of wisdom.

~ Jodi D. ~

It was an awesome class!!! I brought my daughters (one in high school and one in college) with my sister to learn to be confident and smart! Jay did a wonderful job in equipping us to be fighters. I pray we never have to use these skills but should that time ever come we are ready. We look forward to taking more classes!

~ Dominique L. ~

Awesome class!! I took the class because I’m going to be an RA at college next year and now I’m equipped with the tools and knowledge to be able to defend myself in potentially dangerous situations.

~ Olivia L. ~

This class was very empowering and made me feel much more confident. I know when and when not to use certain moves, and how to make it possible to get out of something bad. Jay is respectful and elegant with his work. I was impressed and intrigued by his skills. Any teenage girl or even older ladies contemplating taking this class, I completely encourage you to do so. I am very glad I dd. Thank you Jay

~ Cassidy C. ~

Attending Jay’s self-defense class with a group of teenage girls we mentor regularly was such a beautiful and empowering experience. Jay taught with great respect and knowledge and every one of the girls LOVED learning how to own their own space and stand up for their rights. I would highly recommend his class to anyone and we can’t wait to go again and learn more! Thank you so much Jay!

~ Deborah Ryman, Board Member & Dir. of Operations, Gate of Hope ~

“Since my twelve-year old daughter joined this self-defense class, there is a distinctive change in the way she views herself as a female. What she has learned in this class is an awareness about her physical and inner strength. Her self-confidence and sense of self-worth have increased. She feels empowered. She gets excited about spending a Saturday learning ways to defend herself and further understand why there are reasons that she might have to defend herself one day. She has fun even in the context of tough topics. She continues to participate, grow, and thrive as she expresses herself in brave and bold ways. As her mom, I hope she never has to defend herself; however, if she does have to defend herself, she can. Jay has a way of making the girls feel comfortable as he helps them to help themselves in challenging scenarios, This is time and money well spent – invaluable.”

~ Cami H. ~ Mother

Great class! I decided to do this class because I will be traveling in Europe this fall for several weeks, and i wanted to feel prepared and secure before leaving. After taking this class I now believe every girl/woman should take a self defense class. It was very informative and empowering. Jay taught how to best avoid or break free from an abduction or sexual assault attempt. Most moves were easy to remember and perform. I highly recommend this class and I am planning to take it again before I leave.

~ Emily ~

Absolutely one of the best decisions I made this summer. I’m feeling so much more confident about going to college out of state! Would 100% recommend this class.

~ Juliana ~

Jay was very knowledgeable and professional when teaching my friend and I self defense strategies. The information was relevant and helpful. Every woman should take the class!

~ Joeli ~

I was a little apprehensive about attending as I am approaching 70 and have some aches and pains but my caring daughter signed me up and encouraged me to go. I am really glad I did, it was a wonderful class and Jay and Miriam did a great job. I know that you can be attacked at any age, not just the young. I know that if attacked my body would not feel good afterwards but because of Jay’s instructions I would try to give it all I had. Thank you so much.

~ Marg D ~

Jay and Miriam were great!! They taught to Heidi and I’s comfort levels and ensured we both left with some great techniques. I was able to go home and show my kids the new skills I had learned!!!

~ Brandy ~

Jay, thank you so much for making time for our class, and for offering such a fantastic curriculum. Both my young adult daughters said they were really pleased with everything they learned, and so was I. My younger one, at 19, is a tough audience to impress (so many things are a “waste of their time”), and I heard nothing but good things from her. And you did an artful job with my older daughter, who was anxious about participating. She was able to feel comfortable and take it all in. I will now worry less about them being out in the world, knowing what they’ve learned from you!

~ Kathe G ~

This class was so beneficial! I’m moving to downtown Saint Louis for graduate school in about a month, and I had never been in any kind of self defense or martial arts class before. I did some research online and found out about this workshop. My expectations were low, but I figured that something was better than nothing. I was completely blown away! We learned so much in such a short amount of time, and while I’m still going to try to avoid getting myself into situations where it would be necessary to use the tactics we learned, I feel so much better about how I would react now. Thanks, Jay!!!